Emily Johnson will spend three weeks with leading trainer Marc Sassier in Arquenay, France. Photo: supplied
By DAVE DI SOMMA
Harness News Desk

Talented  northern junior driver Emily Johnson is in Europe to link up with one of France’s top stables for the next three weeks.
The visit is part of a programme tentatively called the ‘‘Frenz Connection’’.

No formal agreement has been confirmed as yet, though it has been proposed that this will be the first of a reciprocal arrangement between the two countries, New Zealand drivers going there one year and their French counterparts coming here the next.

‘‘The French are very keen to expand their relationship with us,’’ Waikato-based trainer Sean McCaffrey, who came up with the idea, said.

‘‘France is just a juggernaut when it comes to trotters. I was there once on Bastille Day and they had 29 race meetings that day!’’

McCaffrey has been to France several times and mentioned the idea during a recent trip.

‘‘They have been fantastic and very obliging.’’

Emily Johnson, who works at McCaffrey’s stables in Tamahere, is the first recipient.

‘‘In some ways Emily will iron out the kinks and find out what works and what doesn’t,’’ McCaffrey said.

The trip is being financed by a generous donor and McCaffrey is hopeful a more formal sponsorship can be sorted out for future exchanges.

For the 23-year-old it will no doubt be an eye-opener. It will be her first trip outside Australasia.

She will spend just on three weeks with leading trainer Marc Sassier in Arquenay, about 200km southwest of Paris.

‘‘It will just be so interesting to see how a big stables like this works,’’ Johnson said.

‘‘I’m not sure what to expect but I’m sure it will be a fun experience.’’

Johnson reined 65 winners while based in Australia before moving to New Zealand in 2024. She has driven 51 winners here since then.

‘‘She’s been told to take her driving gear so if an opportunity comes up she is ready to go,’’ McCaffrey said.

McCaffrey said the exchange was ideal for drivers like Johnson.

‘‘We want people who are savvy and open to learning new things.’’

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- HRNZ